Project Directors: Dr. Agnieszka Dobrowolska and Dr. Ewa Parandowska

Historic era: Fatimid Dynasty

Project Location: Historic Cairo

Project Duration: 1995 – 1999

The wooden pulpit, or minbar, of the mosque of Al-Salih Tala'i is the second oldest Mamluk pulpit in Cairo, dated 1299 AD. The Minbar was commissioned by Amir Baktīmur al-Juqan-där, whereas the earliest Mamluk minbar is that commissioned by Sultan Lājîn, situated in the mosque of Ibn Tülün. The Minbar encompasses the layered restoration efforts from many eras. It was dismantled and reassembled in 1898/99 A.D., then refurbished and repainted in the 1980s. 

In 1995, Dr. Jaroslaw Dobrowolski and Dr. Agnieszka Dobrowolska assessed and photographically recorded the condition of the Minbar as part of their project to investigate and survey the mosque of Al-Salih Tala’i. In 1997, Dr. Ewa Parandowska produced a report on the condition of the Minbar of Al-Salih Tala’i. In the report, she detailed and depicted the present condition of preservation of the 13th-century Minbar of Al-Salah Tala'i Mosque. The report delineates the primary causes of damage and examines the findings of the investigations. A comprehensive analysis and testing were conducted to ascertain the composition of the original materials and technology, as well as to differentiate between the original and recreated parts of the Minbar. Historical sources were analyzed to obtain a more precise record of earlier restorations. She also provided recommendations for restoration and proposed treatment levels including the stabilization of the Minbar's structure, comprehensive cleaning of its surface, and the removal of current paint layers and inappropriate, discolored coatings. Further observations and suggestions were provided regarding the preservation of the Malqaf, which is an authentic windcatcher encased in an ornate wood framework, functionally linked to the Minbar.

From 1998 to 1999, Dr. Agnieszka Dobrowolska and her team of conservation specialists, led by Conservator Erico Peintner, performed specialized conservation on the Minbar of Al-Salih Tala’i. Reinforcement for the Minbar's inner structure was placed, a new base was constructed, the decorations were cleaned and filled, the dome was restored and erected, and the Qibla wall was conserved and renovated.

Statement of Responsibility

The Minbar of Al-Salih Tala’i mosque suffered from severe damage and deterioration when Dr. Agnieszka Dobrowolska and her team of conservation specialists headed by the Conservator Erico Peintner conducted specialized conservation on the Minbar (pulpit) of Al-Salih Tala’i between August 1998 and January 1999 under the auspices of the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE). Reinforcement for the interior structure of the Minbar was installed, a new base was built, cleaning and infilling of the decorations were carried out, the dome was restored and installed and the Qibla wall was conserved and restored. Conservation work on the Minbar of Al-Salih Tala’i was made possible with the support of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (formerly the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities).

Funding

The conservation of the minbar of Al-Salih Tala'i by Dr. Agnieszka Dobrowolska was made possible with funding by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Grant No. 263-G-00-93-00089-00 and administered by Egyptian Antiquities Conservation Project (EAC) of the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE), the condition survey by Ewa Parandowska was funded by Grant Np. 263-0000-G-00-3089-00 and administered by the Egyptian Antiquities Project (EAP).

See the mosque of Al-Salih Tala’i on Google Maps here

Additional Resources

• The Aga Khan Trust for Culture: Al-Saleh Tala’ea Mosque

• The Rare Books and Special Collections Digital Library at the American University in Cairo: Mosque of Salih Tala'i

• Behrens-Abouseif, D. (1989). Islamic architecture in Cairo : an introduction (2nd Impression). E.J. Brill.